Microsoft puts the finger on biometrics

Microsoft today launched a new range of peripherals incorporating biometric security and wireless technology ranging from £60 to £150.

Bluetooth has been incorporated into one new keyboard and mice set and a second mouse, allowing up to seven Bluetooth devices such as PDAs to connect and exchange information.

As well as wires, passwords are being consigned to the waste paper basket to be replaced with fingerprint recognition technology.

Once users have registered two sample fingerprints, Microsoft's Optical Desktop and IntelliMouse allow users to access home PCs by placing their finger on the reader, removing the need to remember passwords.

"Microsoft wants to enable users to have a better standard of equipment than they currently receive with store-bought computers, and security is a big part of the improvements," said Mike Haigh, hardware product marketing manager at Microsoft.

But the software giant does not recommend the fingerprint scanners for business use.

Microsoft is also releasing 2005 updates for its most popular software programs, such as Photo, Money and AutoRoute.

Photo Premium Version 10 "seeks to solve the pains" that most users associate with digital imaging software, according to Melissa Dewick, software product marketing manager at Microsoft.

"Digital imaging is now the mainstream and Photo version 10 allows users to store, archive, edit and search for their images in a range of easy methods," she told vnunet.com.

Version 10 includes 'auto fixers' for editing image quality, and 'panoramic stitching' for combining separate images of the same scene into a single view.

Microsoft's latest version of Money has undergone a complete overhaul of its user interface, and can now synchronise online bank account statements with hard copy stored on the program.

The 2005 version of AutoRoute includes interconnectivity features enabling users to access the software on PDAs and smartphones.

Microsoft has also released a children's version of its Encarta encyclopaedia, with content designed specifically for under 12s.